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49ers signed LB Philip Wheeler, formerly of the Dolphins, to a one-year contract.

Miami cut Wheeler last month to make room for Ndamukong Suh. San Francisco will be the fourth team he's played for since entering the league in 2008. The 49ers are needy at inside linebacker. Wheeler has been a 4-3 Sam 'backer throughout his career, but will compete on the inside as a 49er. Apr 30 - 3:23 PM

Free agent ILB Philip Wheeler is visiting the 49ers on Monday.

Wheeler, 30, has been a 4-3 outside linebacker for much of his career. He'd play on the inside in San Francisco and compete for snaps next to Navorro Bowman. Wheeler has flashed ability to both cover and play the run in the past. Mar 30 - 4:19 PM

Miami will make Wheeler a post-June 1 cut, saving $3M in cap space. Wheeler started just four games last season and has been a bust since signing a five-year, $26 million deal back in 2013. He should resurface as a two-down run stopper. Mar 7 - 3:38 PM

Dolphins LB Philip Wheeler has played just 75 defensive snaps since criticizing the coaching staff following the Week 6 loss to the Packers.

After calling out the coaches, one Dolphins player opined that Wheeler is "done here." It appears the Dolphins have certainly moved on, as they've turned to Jelani Jenkins and Koa Misi as every-down linebackers. Wheeler will count $4.2 million against the 2015 cap whether he's in Miami or not. Wheeler, along with Dannell Ellerbe, is just another whiff by ex-GM Jeff Ireland. Tue, Nov 18, 2014 09:19:00 PM

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Wheeler, 30, has been a 4-3 outside linebacker for much of his career. He'd play on the inside in San Francisco and compete for snaps next to Navorro Bowman. Wheeler has flashed ability to both cover and play the run in the past.

Miami will make Wheeler a post-June 1 cut, saving $3M in cap space. Wheeler started just four games last season and has been a bust since signing a five-year, $26 million deal back in 2013. He should resurface as a two-down run stopper.

Dolphins LB Philip Wheeler has played just 75 defensive snaps since criticizing the coaching staff following the Week 6 loss to the Packers.

After calling out the coaches, one Dolphins player opined that Wheeler is "done here." It appears the Dolphins have certainly moved on, as they've turned to Jelani Jenkins and Koa Misi as every-down linebackers. Wheeler will count $4.2 million against the 2015 cap whether he's in Miami or not. Wheeler, along with Dannell Ellerbe, is just another whiff by ex-GM Jeff Ireland.

Updating a previous item, Dolphins SLB Philip Wheeler (thumb) expects to play this week against the Bills.

It was initially reported that Wheeler would miss Week 2. He'll sport a cast on the injured thumb and line up next to MLB Jason Trusnik, who will start in place of an injured Koa Misi (ankle). If the new drug policy passes on Friday afternoon, the Dolphins could also have Dion Jordan back in the mix at defensive end.

Dolphins SLB Philip Wheeler (thumb) will not play against the Bills in Week 2.

Wheeler joins fellow starting linebackers Koa Misi (ankle, week to week) and Dannell Ellerbe (hip, injured reserve) on the sideline. Wheeler and Misi have a shot to return in Week 3, but missing them against a Bills team that is going to pound the run is scary for Miami. They'll start Jason Trusnik in the middle with Jelani Jenkins and Jonathan Freeny on the outside.

One Dolphins source told the Miami Herald that WLB Philip Wheeler became "complacent" after ex-GM Jeff Ireland signed him to a five-year, $26 million contract.

In other words, he mailed it in after getting paid. Ireland also happened to guarantee the entirety of Wheeler's $5 million salary for 2014, making him very difficult to cut just one year into the deal. Wheeler was a missed tackle machine in 2013, and was regularly attacked successfully in pass coverage.

Per the San Francisco Chronicle, the Raiders would be "very interested" in WLB Philip Wheeler if he were released by the Dolphins.

Raiders beat writer Vic Tafur has heard "a couple times" at the Combine that Wheeler may be cut by Miami. He had a strong 2012 campaign in Oakland. Releasing Wheeler would cause a $4.2 million cap penalty for the Dolphins, so we're not sold it'll happen despite a nightmarish debut season with the team.

Signed to a five-year, $26 million contract that included $13 million guaranteed last March, Wheeler was horrific in his first season with the Dolphins. Pro Football Focus credited him with a whopping 18 missed tackles and graded Wheeler out as its worst 4-3 outside linebacker. If Miami does release Wheeler, it'd likely do it as a post-June 1 cut. Jelani Jenkins could be asked to fill in at weak-side 'backer in 2014. The signings of Wheeler and MLB Dannell Ellerbe are part of the reason GM Jeff Ireland's job status is in question.

Dolphins agreed to terms on a five-year, $26 million deal with OLB Philip Wheeler, formerly of the Raiders.

The Dolphins are signing ALL of the linebackers. Wheeler gets $13 million guaranteed. Miami already added Dannell Ellerbe on a five-year, $35 million deal, and then released middle linebacker Karlos Dansby. With Wheeler coming aboard, it might signal the end for veteran WLB Kevin Burnett. Wheeler showed he could do it all in 2012. He defended the run, covered, and rushed the quarterback.

The San Francisco Chronicle says there is a "good chance" free agent OLB Philip Wheeler doesn't re-sign with the Raiders.

Wheeler was one of the lone bright spots in Oakland last season. The 28-year-old gained steady buzz this weekend, and the Rams have already shown interest. The Chronicle mentions free agents Manny Lawson and Nick Barnett as replacement options.

Touted as one of the potential steals of free agency, Wheeler is gaining more and more buzz. By the time his market settles, he might not be much of a steal at all. Wheeler graded out as Pro Football Focus' No. 6 4-3 outside linebacker last season, one of the few bright spots on a rancid Raiders' defense.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the Rams have "at least some interest" in free agent LBs Philip Wheeler and Dannell Ellerbe.

Wheeler and Ellerbe would be options on the strong side in St. Louis, opposite Jo-Lonn Dunbar and next to James Laurinaitis. The position is one of just two to three weak spots on the Rams' defense after dumpster-diving for Rocky McIntosh last offseason. Ellerbe is seeking $6 million annually. Wheeler should be cheaper.

At least one NFL personnel evaluator believes SLB Philip Wheeler could be a steal in free agency.

"He had a great year in Oakland," said the evaluator, who works for an NFC team. "He was playing like his hair was on fire. He was their best defensive player on the field most of the time." Wheeler noticeably stood out on a bad Oakland defense, along with Desmond Bryant and Lamarr Houston. Pretty much everyone else was terrible. Wheeler, 28, is not expected back with the Raiders.

Smelter has been widely presumed a "redshirt" pick by the 49ers, but the team must feel good about his recovery. He underwent ACL surgery in December. Smelter is 6-foot-2 and 226 pounds, and averaged 18.9 YPR with 11 TDs on 56 career catches at Georgia Tech. While a rookie-season impact is unlikely for Smelter, the 23-year-old could emerge as Anquan Boldin's heir apparent.